Members of CFAs across the Yarra Ranges are working hard to hit their donation and fitness targets in the lead up to the annual Melbourne Firefighter’s Stair Climb (MFSC).
On 6 September, firefighters from all over the state will gather at the Crown Metropol in Melbourne to take on this year’s MFSC in an epic, 28-storey ascent.
They will do so under 25 kilograms of turnout gear and will raise funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation, Lifeline and the 000 Foundation.
In his 11th year taking part in the MFSC, Wesburn-Millgrove CFA member Tony Lewis has weathered wild conditions while climbing the Mount Donna Buang Observation Tower every Saturday morning to train.
Mr Lewis said the cold conditions haven’t deterred him and his crew from continuing their routine.
“We’ve had some challenging mornings in the snow and in the rain, but everybody’s high-spirited and has been having fun when we’re at it,” Mr Lewis said.
Overall, the MFSC campaign has raised just over $680,000 of their $1 million target with 12 days left to go.
MFSC event director Chris May was confident the campaign would reach the one million mark.
“Obviously in the days leading up to the event, we have an influx of donations, and we do keep the donations open for a little while after the stair climb so people can show all their efforts,” Mr May said.
“So we’re feeling pretty good.”
This year’s stair climb is on track to be the biggest event yet in terms of both funds raised and firefighters participating.
1000 firefighters take on the spiralling stairs of the Crown Metropol in September, an increase of 300 from last year.
Mr May said this was because more people understood the dangers of firefighting stick around long after the fire itself.
“People now are being impacted either personally, or second or third-hand through someone they know. As a result of that, they want to be part of the stair climb to help raise funds for charities like Lifeline and the Peter McCallum Cancer Foundation, as well as the 000 Foundation.”
Mr Lewis’s personal fundraising goal for the climb has been reached with $1190.
Meanwhile at Warburton CFA Kodie Ireland and Andre Araujo have both raised over $1000.
Mr Lewis said while not all members from Wesburn-Millgrove CFA had hit their $1000 target, there’s still 12 days of fundraising to go.
On Sunday 31 August the Wesburn-Millgrove CFA will hold a sausage sizzle at the Millgrove Market in Millgrove where all proceeds will go towards the fundraising effort.
“We still have a couple of weeks to go, and we’re going to push hard to continue raising funds, and hopefully we can all reach our $1000 individual targets before the actual event.”
But, Mr Lewis wouldn’t be too disappointed if some missed out on their $1000 target.
“Everything counts. If we can save that one life, then that’s amazing,” Mr Lewis said.
